disclaimer--see chapter2

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Chapter 10—the dance

Silver and I went flying each night thereafter, from 7 til 8:30. sometimes we flew with Tobias and Rachel or Beth and Jason.

On valentines day we had a morning all-couples-fly-into-the-sunrise (gonna-make-me-sick according to Beth and Marco. Marco was just jealous) thing. Jake flew wing-in-wing with Cassie, Tobias with Rachel, Jason with Beth, and Silver with me.

Aximili was busy wiring his girlfriend Estrid-Corill-Darrath on his Z-space transmitter. Marco was busy—as always—trying to find a girl to go out with him.

((So, when does the dance start?)) I asked Silver, referring to the valentine's day dance at school.

((In a couple hours.))

((That means that Estrid's ship will land in about a half hour. Isn't it great that she's coming all the way here to be with Aximili on valentine's day—especially since it's a human holiday?)) I asked, sighing.

((I can't wait to meet her,)) Silver said, ((She must be special for Ax to speak of her with such reverence.))

((Her mother's an estreen—a morph dancer. Maybe she can give me some tips to enhance my morphing talent,)) I said, landing.

I demorphed into a stunning shimmering Silver dress with a low V-neck and short sleeves. Perfect for a high-school dance.

Silver demorphed a far less stunning t-shirt and shorts.

"You don't need any enhancing," he said, "You're already better than Cassie."

"I still want tips from Estrid," I said, picking my heels out of the bag with my jewelry and makeup I'd hidden in Cassie's barn.

The rest of the gang showed up in turn.

Cassie's parents were at a vet seminar at the Gardens. Their idea of a romantic date.

So they wouldn't be there to notice Aximili and Estrid cantering into the barn together.

Estrid was a beautiful shade of blue-violet, with more delicate features than Aximili, and a somewhat smaller tail-blade. She looked at everyone, her gaze resting on the four of us newbies.

((You have added new members, War Prince Jake," she said, turning her stalk eyes toward Jake.

"I have, and each of them skilled. Estrid, meet Michelle, Beth, Silver and Jason," Jake introduced.

I stepped forward and lightly shook her seven-fingered hand. The others just said hi.

((I like your choice of artificial skin. Shimmery like our third moon.)) she told me.

"It's a dress, for the valentine's day dance. My favorite color," I said.

She morphed, pulling each limb into herself in turn, and becoming a ball of violet-tan fur. As she burst as though from an egg, the violet became a slim, knee-length dress.

I watched as though in a trance.

"Can you show me a trick or two?" I asked when I could finally speak, "I would love to morph like that."

"She has quite a natural talent," Silver said proudly, "She morphed straight into the dress she's wearing."

((She did? Impressive,)) Tobias said. The others echoed his sentiments.

"It takes much concentration to morph a dress like that. Tomorrow, I will teach you the way of estreen," she said, taking Aximili's now human arm into her own, "I believe it is time to go to the dance."

I nodded, putting my last necklace on. I quickly applied my lipstick and tested it on Silver's lips.

"Working?" I asked.

"Definitely," he assured me.

"Good. Everyone ready?" I looked around. Cassie and Beth, true to form, dressed casual. T-shirts and pants.

Rachel, also true to form, was dressed splendidly in a hot pink and red dress that looked exactly right on her.

The boys all wore black jeans and white tees. Even Aximili and Tobias.

Everyone nodded.

Beth, having just gotten her license, drove all of us to the school.

She didn't drive half bad.

Aximili and Estrid, despite having reservations of having only two legs, were the first two on the dance floor. Beth and Jason followed, then Tobias and Rachel. Jake, Cassie, Silver and I walked out last.

An hour and 45 minutes later, Tobias, Aximili and Estrid excused themselves to demorph and remorph.

Then the most surprising person walked in with my parents. I didn't have time to be embarrassed that my parents were at the dance, because my heart landed in my throat.

Visser 3 was at the Valentine 's Day dance!